The #425 is a Pacific class locomotive, and though I was excited about building it, I've already done a Pacific class, as well as a very similarly designed Hudson, so it wasn't going to be a very exciting build unless I changed something.

So I decided to challenge myself and build it 7-wide with a SNOT boiler, going for as round a look as possible. Using ideas from Tim Gould and Benn Coifman, I was able to come up with a ~5-wide SNOT boiler I'm pleased with.

So far I think it's coming along well.

And here's a quick look at the design I used (click on the pictures to see details and notes):

Any comments and criticism is welcome.

--Tony

I think the boiler looks quite round. Must've been a good idea to use SNOT here. The colour scheme of the locomotive is also nothing I could criticise. When I look at those pics with the SNOT techniques, I realise that your locomotive is beyond my level of building ability. You are using quite elaborate building techniques, and I am looking forward to seeing the final result! Keep us up-to-date on further progress!

now thats a lot of cheese tiles!

Great start , it's proportions are perfect and the boiler looks really nice. I look forward to seeing it progress.

-Benk

Not normally into LEGO trains, but that looks clever and cool. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

The design for that boiler is ingenious! A very intricate and well thought out model, it's coming along great! Keep us posted, I can't wait to see how you do the seven wide chaise. A real challenge you have given yourself.

All I can say is that the chaise is going to be a challenge.

Nice job!

That´s a very fine and clever design, simply smooth!

Although I´ve to say that the whole engine perhaps looks just a little too long to me.... very impressive, nevertheless.

Great job, that boiler looks the most round i've seen untill now!

The SNOT is amazing. Simply excellent.

Wow, this is really looking good. You've gotten that SNOT to look spendidly round and flowing. Can't wait to see the finished product!

Thanks for all the kind words! Here's a shot of what it looks like now, it's as far as I can get till I order more parts.

See the flickr page of this photo and the two other pictures in my photostream for details and detailed notes.

--Tony

This looks really promising, great work!

I tried making a round boiler myself for my own steam locomotive but I had to give up due to a lack of "cheese tiles"....

I would love to see the final result, when it's all finished.

An impressive and detailed work for sure, and the tender looks great as well.

Ok, so my wife convinced me to try replacing the white tiles with the original black and attaching white plates underneath to achieve the desired white pinstriping, forgoing the pinstripe on small section of running board (noted on the photo's flickr page).

Comments and opinions are welcome.

--Tony

I think your wife should build LEGO. It looks sweet.

Blue Mountain and Reading usually runs the #425 with an auxiliary tender acting as a canteen. The auxiliary tender they use is almost identical to the primary tender except the coal retaining walls have been removed - it's basically and ugly blue box.

If I were to finish the auxiliary tender, it would have a sticker on its' side walls very similar (but not identical) to the primary tender.

Built 7-wide out of spare parts, what do you think? Yay or Nay? Should I order parts to clean up the auxiliary tender, or should I just scrap it and just go with one tender?

--Tony

Yay! Not sure about the last car, but that locomotive and coal cart is great!

Nearly done. Next time you see her posted here, she should be fully dressed and finished.

--Tony